A History Of Gaming Controversy

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By Andrew Burnes

GameSpot maps the aforementioned history in an extensive article today:

Video game controversies tend to fall into three main areas: games deemed so violent or controversial that governments and legal bodies intervene (Major Offenders), games controversial enough to make retailers respond by pulling products off of store shelves (Retail Rogues), and games that solicit grassroots uprisings, such as insider Web melee among groups that feel somehow maligned by a game's message or mission but do not truly hinder a game's success (Peaceful Protests). There are plenty of games that are worth noting that do not fall into these categories; you'll find those in Dishonorable Mentions. Since controversy is not just a black and white issue, The Docket includes a sampling of game-industry lawsuits and squabbles, and Juvenile Hall features the lighter side of controversy, because sometimes it's OK just to laugh. We have included many of the notable controversial games, although naturally, there are others not mentioned here.

The word 'controversy' can no longer be directed at this site anymore I believe.